What: ‘Geek the Library’ is a community-based public awareness campaign designed to highlight the vital role of public libraries in today’s challenging environment and raise awareness about the critical funding issues public libraries face.

Why: As library usage increases, the pressure to expand services intensifies. Many libraries simply don’t have the necessary funding to support the new demand. At the same time, most are experiencing flat or decreasing budgets.

Although millions of Americans enjoy public library resources, and understand the transformational role libraries play for individuals and communities, most people don’t know if their local library is adequately funded or that they have an influential role in how well their library is supported. The campaign is designed to help build public awareness that libraries need community support and adequate funding in order to remain strong. The goal of BSDL’s campaign is to highlight who we are, and what we can do for the community.

“I’m not sure people realize that local tax dollars only pay for day to day operations of the library. All of our tech services, such as our public computers and wi-fi access, are funded by donations. Our popular ebook and DVD collections rely on donations as well,” said Stacy Pasche, Benzie Shores District Library’s Assistant Director. “We cannot operate as a modern library without additional support. In fact, right now we are fundraising to replace our outdated public computers.”

Who: ‘Geek the Library’ is brought to you by OCLC and funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.